AT&T is finally preparing its systems for the release of shared data plans for customers who want more devices and less data plans

There are several new mobile devices to be had today. Companies like Apple and Samsung are releasing new smartphones and tablets at seemingly faster and faster rates, where your brand new purchase becomes obsolete in a short time. But with a new mobile purchase sometimes comes an added data plan in addition to others the consumer already has, which is not attractive baggage.

AT&T is now aiming to remedy this problem with shared data plans. According to leaked screenshots, AT&T is finally preparing its systems for the release of shared data plans for customers who want more devices and less data plans.

Shared data plans allow customers to use their data across multiple devices. This means that adding smartphones, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspot devices and data-connected computers to their mobile collection will not add more data plans to the equation as well.

Details related to AT&T's shared data plans are unclear at this point. There is no set launch date for the plans, and the company may just be testing the idea out for now.

In December 2011, Verizon announced that it would be launching family data plans in 2012, which allow multiple users to share one batch of data for various devices. The specifics weren't available for Verizon's family data plans either, except that 2012 would likely be the release date.

"I think 2012 we will see it," said Lowell McAdam, Verizon Communications CEO. "We have been working on this for a couple of years. Getting to one bill and getting to account-level pricing is our goal."